Apple Pay, one of Apple’s most widely used global services, may finally be headed to India in 2026. According to industry reports, the Cupertino-based technology company is laying the groundwork to introduce its digital payments platform in the country, a move that could reshape a market currently dominated by UPI-led apps such as Google Pay and PhonePe.

Sources familiar with the matter say Apple is in discussions with major card payment networks, including Visa and Mastercard, as well as Indian regulators, to secure the necessary approvals. If these talks progress as planned, Apple Pay could be launched in phases later this year. The initial rollout is expected to focus on card-based contactless payments, allowing users to tap their iPhones at compatible point-of-sale terminals.

India’s payment structure

Despite Apple’s strong hardware footprint and a steadily growing iPhone user base, Apple Pay has so far stayed out of India. A key reason has been the country’s payments architecture, which is heavily centred on UPI. Unlike Google Pay or PhonePe, which are built around bank-to-bank transfers, Apple Pay primarily relies on card networks and NFC-enabled transactions, an approach that has required careful alignment with India’s regulatory framework.

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The service would function much like Samsung Pay, which is already available on select Galaxy devices. Apple Pay uses NFC technology and incorporates device-level authentication such as Face ID, Touch ID, or a secure PIN. Apple also positions privacy as a core feature of the platform, with transaction data designed to remain encrypted and protected from tracking.

Apple has explored multiple entry points into India’s digital payments ecosystem in the past. The company previously held discussions around enabling Face ID-based authentication for UPI transactions on iPhones, which would have added another security layer for users. There were also reports of a possible co-branded Apple Card in partnership with HDFC Bank, though those plans did not move forward.

High Time for Apple Pay in India

India is among the world’s fastest-growing digital payments markets, driven by widespread adoption of contactless, QR-based, and mobile-first payment methods across urban and semi-urban regions. With rising iPhone owners and an increasingly systematic payments infrastructure, industry observers believe the timing may now be more favourable for Apple Pay’s entry.

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While Apple has not officially confirmed its plans, renewed engagement with regulators and payment partners points to a stronger push to expand its services footprint in India. If launched successfully, Apple Pay could offer iPhone users a secure and seamless alternative for everyday transactions, adding another layer to the country’s rapidly evolving digital payments landscape.